Anytime is perfect timing for Let's Talk Turkey

When Bethlehem's Let's Talk Turkey opened about a month ago, the timing couldn't have been more perfect. There was just enough time to fine-tune operations of this fast-food twist on Thanksgiving's turkey tradition before the holiday.

If you haven't gotten your holiday fill, you'll want to try the eatery's tasty take on a bird usually associated with hours of roasting.

Lodged in a former Quiznos sub shop, Let's Talk Turkey's basic decor features gray walls and tables, black chairs and a red floor. It's a contemporary color combination that yields a clean and spare look.

The fast-food-style fare is nothing like typical leftovers. A turkey and Asiago sandwich gets a spike of spice from chipotle mayo; red onions and cranberry mayo dress up turkey sliders; avocado, applewood smoked bacon, sweet corn and blue cheese get tossed in Cobb salad; and craisins, candied walnuts and blue cheese crumbles punch up the "talk of the town" salad.

Plates of deep-fried turkey in various combinations offer a taste of the restaurant's signature preparation. I sampled the white and dark combo ($7.95), which includes stuffing and one side. Both white and dark meat were equally tender, without so much as a molecule of oil or grease.

Nicely seasoned stuffing with rich gravy was good accompaniment. Warm, spiced apples had some bite (much appreciated) and subtle seasoning. A deep-fried cob of corn ($2 extra) was standard fare.

Turkey barley soup ($3.95, 16 oz.), stocked with shredded meat and tender cubes of carrot, was as satisfying as homemade soup should be.

A signature sandwich, "le French turkey" on ciabatta, included melted Brie, Granny Smith apple slices and mango mayo ($7.75). The fruity additions touched the sandwich with sweetness, and the cheese added creamy richness with a touch of decadence. Tomato and lettuce on this sandwich was superfluous.

Chipotle dipping sauce, made in-house, proved a super partner for sweet potato fries ($3, large), its touch of spicy heat so good with the crispy fries.

Whole and half birds are available with a choice of glazes (cranberry brown sugar, honey pecan, mango bourbon or signature herb blend), but availability cannot be guaranteed without 24-hour notice.

Let's Talk Turkey is one of few fast-food restaurants that serves freshly prepared fare; that's reason enough to stop in. But for devotees of its centerpiece, traditional American food, this restaurant also offers the opportunity to celebrate Thanksgiving any day of the year.